Biology 1408
Course Syllabus: SUMMER, 2015
“Northeast Texas Community College exists to provide responsible, exemplary learning opportunities.”
Robert Fenton
Office: MS, Rm G
Phone: 903-434-8285
Email: rfenton@ntcc.edu
Office Hours
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Online
After 12N
SUM I only
After 12N
SUM I only
After 12N
SUM I only
After 12N
SUM I only
None
email &
chat
The information contained in this syllabus is subject to change without notice. Students are expected to
be aware of any additional course policies presented by the instructor during the course.
Catalog Course Description (include prerequisites): Four Credit Hours. A survey course designed to
meet the needs of the non-science major. This course is an introduction to the science of biology
including scientific method, physical and chemical properties of life, cell biology, genetics, and
evolution. Offered in an online format only.
Required Textbook(s):
Essentials Of Biology Digital Text W/Connect Plus Mader ISBN 0-07-768185-1 Copyright 15
Edition
OR
Essentials Of Biology Printed Text W/Connect Plus Mader ISBN 1-2592-0223-2 Copyright 15
Edition 14
Lab Kits: eScience Lab Kit. Purchase thru the NTCC Bookstore 1408 Biology V1 + Photosynthesis
Kit 1286 Escience
1408 Student Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Describe the characteristics of life.
Be able to apply the scientific process of investigation.
Describe the molecules that make up living things and their importance.
Describe the general structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Describe the function of the plasma membrane.
Describe the process of cell division and the cell cycle.
Describe the processes of metabolism and energy transformation on a cellular basis.
Describe the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
Be able to apply the work of Gregor Mendel and its importance to our understanding of
inheritance patterns in living things.
10. Describe the mechanisms of normal and abnormal chromosome inheritance.
11. Describe the structure and function of DNA and RNA and their role in protein synthesis.
12. Work in online small groups to analyze and form a conclusion to a problem related to one of the
labs or a problem presented in the text.
13. Be able to conduct home labs designed to emphasize lecture topics, analyze data and form
specific conclusions.
Exemplary Educational Objectives:
Biology 1408 is only one of several courses offered at NTCC that is part of the natural sciences core
curriculum. The educational objectives of the NTCC core curriculum include the exemplary educational
objectives proposed by the Advisory Committee on Core Curriculum and approved by the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board in 1998 (NTCC Catalog 81).
The objective of the study of a natural sciences component of a core curriculum is to enable the student
to understand, construct, and evaluate relationships in the natural sciences, and to enable the student to
understand the basis for building and testing theories.
The exemplary educational core objectives for natural sciences are:
3.1 to understand and apply method and appropriate technology to the study of natural sciences;
3.2 to recognize scientific and quantitative methods and the differences between theses approaches and
other methods of inquiry and to communicate findings, analyses, and interpretation both orally and in
writing;
3.3 to identify and recognize the differences among competing scientific theories;
3.4 to demonstrate knowledge of the major issues and problems facing modern science, including issues
that touch upon ethics, values, and public policies;
3.5 to demonstrate knowledge of the interdependence of science and technology and their influence on,
and contribution to, modern culture.
Lectures & Discussions:
Week 1&2: Unit I: Ch. 1-3
Week 3: Unit II: Ch. 4 & 5
Week 4&5: Unit III: Ch. 6 & 7
Week 6: Mid-term Exam
Week 7: Unit IV: Ch, 8-10
Week 8: Unit V: Ch. 11-13
Week 9: Unit VI: Ch. 14-16
Week 10: Final Exam (Aug. 13)
Evaluation/Grading Policy:
Evaluation is accomplished as follows:
Homework (Connect assignments) = 10%
Unit Exams = 20%
Midterm Exam = 20%
Final Exam = 20%
Lab Submissions = 30%
89.5 - 100% = A
79.5 - 89.4% = B
69.5 - 79.4% = C
59.5 - 69.4% = D
Below 59.5% = F
Tests/Exams:
All exams include both objective (multiple choice, true-false, matching) and subjective questions over notes and
text material and any additional outside reading that may be assigned. All unit exams, the mid-term and final, are
online and timed. See Evaluation for other information.
Make up tests WILL NOT given under any circumstances.
Assignments:
Lab questions and Lab submissions are due as scheduled. NO EXCEPTIONS
Other Course Requirements:
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
•Students new to online learning must complete the online Orientation during the first week of class.
•It is your responsibility to obtain a username and password to enter Blackboard, to enter the classroom
the first week of class, to read the directions on the homepage, and to successfully navigate through the
course. If you have taken an internet course in the past but still feel unsure of your Blackboard skills,
then please take the orientation mentioned above.
•Student must purchase an eScience Lab Kit for the course laboratory assignments. You must purchase
the kit at the NTCC Bookstore.
COMPUTER SKILLS:
Students taking my internet class are required to have basic computer skills, an up to date working
computer with internet access, and either Microsoft WORD (.doc) or EXCEL (.xls) software. Students
who do not have access to WORD or EXCEL can save documents in RICH TEXT FORMAT (.rtf).
Inadequate computer skills or a malfunctioning computer system is not adequate reason for me to accept
late homework assignments, homework assignments in the wrong format, missed chats, or bulletin board
postings.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The course content is loaded on software called Blackboard which requires Java capability. The student
must have a Java-compatible Internet browser such as Netscape 4.7, Firefox, or Microsoft Internet
Explorer 5.0. Firefox is preferred. To get your computer "class ready," go to the following website.
http://ntcc.blackboard.com
For assignments that will be posted, it is preferable to have the most recent versions of your browser, so
please download this browser prior to the beginning of class (this is free, but time consuming, so plan
ahead).
Student Responsibilities/Expectations:
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
• Blackboard allows your instructor to monitor your participation in this course on a daily basis. While
there is flexibility in the schedule, this is NOT an independent study course. Access to course materials
follows the same time schedule as a traditional classroom, and students are expected to complete
assignments by a specified dates as indicated in the course calendar. NO LATE WORK will be
accepted!
•In case of server problems, contact me via voicemail, email or alternate email. My email address must
never be abused. They are for instructional purposes only. DO NOT put me on your distribution
lists!!!
NTCC Academic Honesty Statement:
"Students are expected to complete course work in an honest manner, using their intellects and resources
designated as allowable by the course instructor. Students are responsible for addressing questions
about allowable resources with the course instructor. NTCC upholds the highest standards of academic
integrity. This course will follow the NTCC Academic Honesty policy stated in the Student Handbook."
Academic Ethics
The college expects all students to engage in academic pursuits in a manner that is beyond
reproach. Students are expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in their academic
pursuit. Academic dishonesty such as cheating, plagiarism, and collusion is unacceptable and may
result in disciplinary action. Such disciplinary action can include a grade of “F” for the assignment or a
grade of “F” as a final grade for the course. Refer to the student handbook for more information on this
subject.
ADA Statement:
It is the policy of NTCC to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are
students with disabilities. This College will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws,
regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford
equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange an appointment with a
College counselor to obtain a Request for Accommodations form. For more information, please refer to
the NTCC Catalog or Student Handbook.
Family Educational Rights And Privacy Act (Ferpa):
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of
student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program
of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s
educational records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she attends a school beyond the high
school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are considered “eligible students.” In essence,
a parent has no legal right to obtain information concerning the child’s college records without the
written consent of the student. In compliance with FERPA, information classified as “directory
information” may be released to the general public without the written consent of the student unless the
student makes a request in writing. Directory information is defined as: the student’s name, permanent
address and/or local address, telephone listing, dates of attendance, most recent previous education
institution attended, other information including major, field of study, degrees, awards received, and
participation in officially recognized activities/sports.